SUMMARY: Loki turns to Tony Stark for help with a very special task. Hilarity and eventual romance ensue.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything in this story; all rights to Marvel and Disney and all that fun stuff. I'm just a fan :)

WARNINGS: Avengers Movie-verse Spoilers, M/M Slash, FrostIron, Angst

A/N: This is my first fic on here, so please be gentle. It's based off of a role-play between myself and my friend. Enjoy!

Metal & Magic

A/N: This chapter has been re-written in an effort to make it flow a little better than it did before.

Chapter One

Loki paced back and forth in his room. He had been doing that a lot lately since Odin fell into the Odinsleep. Frigga was dead and Thor thought Loki to be with her as well, or in Hel, which place wasn't quite his concern. It's not like he cared much of what his 'brother' thought of him now anyway; he was supposed to be dead, afterall. It had been a few years since the incident in Midgard and Loki was getting restless. While he could disguise himself as anyone he wished, the toll a spell like that would take on him would be too taxing. He sighed in frustration and took a deep breath to calm himself. His mind fluttered off to a distant memory of that dreadful day in New York. He was in that mortal, Stark's, tower and the man had offered him a drink despite the chaos going on around them. Loki had been impressed with his demeanor that day, and despite the fact that he had defenestrated him and Loki had been beaten into the floor by the Green Beast, Loki had been dying to know what kept Stark so calm. 'Maybe I should pay that mortal a visit,' he thought to himself, a quick gleam dancing across his eye as a dangerous smirk formed on his lips. He gathered some things he deemed necessary for the trip to Midgard and teleported himself away to one of the unknown portals of the Yggdrasil. He arrived in the same spot as he had stood several years prior in the tower of Tony Stark.

xXXXXXXXXXXXXx

Tony was busy in his makeshift workshop tinkering with an upgrade to the Mark VIII when JARVIS suddenly cut in, interrupting his focus.

"Sir, you have an uninvited guest, one Mr. Laufeyson. Should I contact S.H.I.E.L.D?"

Tony looked up from the piece he had been working with, "Hold off on that JARV, let's see what Loki is up to this time. Get the Mark VII ready just in case, though."

"Very well sir."

Tony donned the bracelets that would call the suit to him and headed out to meet the "bag of cats" crazed God of Mischief, as Bruce had so eloquently put it. "Long time no see Reindeer Games, I suppose you want that drink now?" Tony walked over to his bar to make himself a scotch on the rocks, only to realize he was out of ice. 'Ok then, so no rocks,' Tony thought.

Loki blinked mindlessly as Stark greeted him, seeming mildly impressed that the mortal hadn't attempted to attack him or call those annoying S.H.I.E.L.D. agents upon his arrival. He had opted for a more low-key appearance this time, and had arrived sans-armor and instead donned his usual black leather pants and a dark green belted-tunic. "I see you have developed the ability to read minds, Stark," he said with his usual tone of nonchalance. He flashed the mortal a shark-like grin and slowly walked over towards the bar to join the Man of Iron. "Yes, I'll have that drink now."

"Nah, no reading minds, you just seem the type to always take up on something that has been offered. You aren't trying to kill me right now, so why should I try to kill you?" Tony couldn't help but notice that Loki wasn't wearing the goat-like armor, but had no doubt it could be covering the god in a fraction of a second. He wasn't sure if that made him feel better about the current situation or not, so he began talking to take some of the tension out of the room. "So, what brings you to my not so humble abode this time? Scotch?" He started pouring their drinks without really waiting for Loki to answer. Tony had figured that he would be drinking more than one; it was going to be a long day by the looks of things.

Loki remained silent as he sat down across from the man, taking the glass he was offered. He wasn't worried about any mortal poisons in the event that Stark had in fact put something in his drink. Loki took a swig of the liquor, swishing it around in his glass before setting it back down upon the bar-top. "You certainly have plenty of reason to try, but whether you'd succeed or not is still yet to be determined," he drawled, looking back at his glass. "As for my presence and what brings me here, I am not ready to divulge that information as of yet, Stark."

Tony downed the amber liquid in the tumbler in one gulp. "Would you like another? Oh, if we're to discuss the finer points of who would beat who... well it depends, really. I have a few tricks up my sleeve now," he stated as he began pouring himself another drink before waiting to pour Loki's second glass.

"I guarantee that I have more tricks up mine," Loki replied coyly, nodding at the offer of a second drink.

Tony topped off Loki's tumbler with more scotch and sat it back down in front of the God. "So, I want to put this out there now: I'm sorry about your mom. Trust me, I know what it's like to lose a parent that you love." Tony raised his glass in a toast. "To good moms."

Loki raised his glass to drink, pausing slightly at the mention of his mother. He nodded as Stark toasted before taking another swig. "I assume that Thor told you what happened, then? And about how I am supposed to be dead as well?" He sat the glass back down and stared at Tony, waiting for a reply.

Tony walked around the bar and headed to the couch, flopping down with little grace. "Yeah, Thor came by shortly after everything happened. He looked like a kicked puppy, too, told us that your mom had been killed and that you had given your life in defense of the realm and had died with honor." To make sure Loki knew he wasn't being sarcastic, he began again. "I don't doubt that you did, minus the actual dying part of course, but like I said, I know what it's like. I didn't think for a second you were dead, however. You are a bit too tricky for that, and doesn't Thor always fall for your doubles?" Tony studied Loki intently; God of Mischief or not, Tony had learned one thing- no matter how good the poker face, talking about a beloved mother's death brought about pain unlike any other.

A/N: Reviews/Comments/Critiques always welcome (just be nice!) :)